Musical instrument.



R. COLLING.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-27, I9I6.

1 ,246,055 Patented Nov. 13, 1917 k2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

R. GOLLING.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT. APPL|cAT|oN-F|LED DEc.21,191-s.

Patented Nov. 13, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Witnesses-.f

/nventon UNITED sTATEs PA TENT oEEIoE.

RALPH COLLING, OF BENTON COUNTY, OREGON.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

`Thet object of my invention is to provide` a device by means of which melodies may be produced fromthe record of aA single standard tone of the human voice, or of an instrument, and which melodies shall'be of artistic tone quality and greater precision as a whole than when produced in' the ordinary way as a melody; alsol to produce apure n legato or glide between different pitches of tones recorded from instruments whose nature does not permit such glide to be pro duced from them. I attain these objects, as well as other advantages, by the construction, combination and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying dra-wings which form a part hereof.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the device.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of an upper part thereof. A

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the disk and record.

Fig. 4 is a sectional View of same on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3. I

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of part of the tone arm and diaphragm and side view of the slotted needle bar below.

Fig. 6 is an end view Vof the device with cabinet appel-taining to it.

' Fig. 7 is a side view of lower part of cabinet illustrating operation of shutter pedal lever.

Like letters and numerals refer to like partsin all views.

Av is a cabinet provided with legs.

'B is a circular turn table which is rigidly secured at its center upon the upper end of a rotatable shaft 8. 'f

C is a vertical tube or horn standard which extends from within the cabinet A to a suitable height above the cabinet. The horn C is provided with a rigid horizontal cross-tube 9 and said horn opens into the center of the tube 9. At the ends` of the tube 9 are horizontal tone arms 10. The lat- Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented N 0V. 13, 1917.

Application filed December 27, 1916. Serial N o. 139,069.

ter arms are pivotally mounted at their ends within the ends of the tube 9. The

tone arms 10 are also .provided with hand grips 11.

The arms 10 extend over the turn table B, .and the end portions thereof extend vertically downward. About the lower ends of the outer ends of the tone arms 10 are casings 11 rigidly secured. Vithin the casings are coil springs 12, Fig. 5. The lower ends of the springs engage lower interior shoulders 13of the casing-'s '11 and the upper ends of the springs 12 engage the upper ends 14 of the telescoping stein 15 of the diaphragm holder 16. The holderv 1G has a vertical stem 15 extendinginto the casings 11. vThe holder has a circular horizontal frame at the-lower end of its stem which frame has a lower shoulder 17. The holder is also pro- Avided at its lower end with a circular screw cap 18 which engages the shoulders 17. A diaphragm 19 is secured horizontally between the shoulders 17 and cap 18. The holder 16 has two finger buttons 20 on its upper surface. A'xliori'zontal record needle bar 21 is secured to the center of the diaphragm by the nut 22. The needle bar has a longitudinal slot 23 and a. vertical jeweled needle point 24 in its free end. Vertical guide pins 25 are provided in the lower surface of the holder 16 to guidethe movement of the bar 21 vertically and prevent its lateral movement.

The upper ends of disk arms 26 are rigidly secured on the ends of the tone arms 10. The arins 26 have forks 27 in their lower ends. Horizontal shafts 28 are placed in the 'lower ends of the forks 'and have mea-ns to secure them rigidly. Rotatable disks Q9 are mount ed on the shafts 28. Circular tone records 30 are4 mounted concentrically upon the faces of the disks by means of holding springs 31. The records 30 are of smaller diameter than the disks 29. The springs are so arranged that the records may be standard end toward the center of the rod. shutter 35 is arranged in the cabinet A. The shutter is provided with a'pedal lever 3G. rlhe turn table B is provided with a rubber mat or cover 37 rigidly secured on its upper surface and upon the cover is amat or facing 38 rigidly secured. The latter is preferably of Celluloid. The 'rubber is to `obviate vibrations in the disk and the'eelluloid is to provide a hard, smooth and even surface upon which the disk shall travel. Means 39 are illustrated, by which the turn table B may be rotated for a length of time and speed as may be pre-determined. Any suitable means, for example such as are employed in phonographs, may be used to rotate the turn table B. The aXis 35 of each tone arm 10 and the arrangement of the disk thereon, are such that the arc of travel of the engaging tread of the disks 29 upon the table B shall be from the center of, the latter to its rim as illustrated. The fulcrum rod 34 is so arranged that when the record needle 24 is over its midpoint of travel between the center and rim of the table B, as shown, the distance from the point of travel of the needle to the rod 34 is one-halt the distance. between the needle and the center of the diaphragm 19. Upon moving the needle to its outermost point of travel toward the rim of the table B the distance between the point of travel of the needle and the 'rod 34 is two-thirds the distance between the needle and center of diaphragm. A related ratio of such distances obtains at any point of travel where the needle may be.

The disks are arranged to engage the table B only sufficiently to cause them to rotate. The tone records are intended to carry the same uniform, continuous tone of the human voice or of an instrument. The records may carry different tones of like character. Records may be substituted to produce any desired standard tone as desired.

It will be observed that the operation of the device consists in irst starting the rotating means 39 which rotates the turn table B. This causes the disks 29 to rotate and the single, standard tone described is produced from each record through the needle and diaphragm into a receiving tone arm 10 and thence transmitted to the mouth of the horn C whence it issues within the cabinet inl a similar manner as with a phonograph. The handles 11 ar(` grasped by the operator and l' the disks are mowed along their lateral path of travel. The fingers are placed upon the buttons to evenly depress or release the diaphragm holder 16. That is, when depressed, the needle is raised and sound ceases. lVhen released the spring 12 causes renewed engagement of the needle with the record. The fulcr'um of the arm on the rod varies in relation to the position ot the needle in its lateral path of travel with respect to the intacta distance from said position to the ulcrum rod 34. The tone record is one of a Xed number of vibrations. When a disk is moved laterally it is obvious that a varying speed is produced in it by the turn table, according to the position of the concentric circle upon the table to a point in which circle the disk is moved. Any variation in the speed of the disk will produce from its tone record, corresponding variations in the number of vibrations transferred from record to diaphragm, that is to say variations in tone pitch will'be delivered through the horn outlet. Now, by moving the disks laterally 'from point to point a melody is. produced it the points are in proper relation to each other. "It the same fulcrum of the needle bar on the fulcrum rod was preserved while the disks were laterally moved and throughout the variations of pitch, there would not follow a corresponding inverse variation ot amplitude to equalize the tone volume. To secure an unvarying volume throughout a varying pitch, thc fulcrum rods are arranged at distances from the path of travel as described. This arrangement will cause the needle bar to vary the amplitude of vibrations transmitted to the diaphragm in inverse ratio to their frequency. The principle thus embodied in the device is consonant with the known laws of acoustics. It will be observed that if a disk is moved laterally from its illustrated mid position of travel to the rim of the table B the speed of the d isk and its record will be doubled, but the amplitude of the vibrations received by the diaphragm will vary inversely, that is, they will be one-half. The ratio of amplitude of the vibrations in the diaphragm and the same vibrations in the needle point in the mid position are as 1 to 1 but ini the outer position referred to they are as 1 to2. By proper calculation the ratio of vibrations occurring when the needle bar has any given fulcrum on the rod 34 may be determined in a like manner. The shutter 35 is provided to regulate the volume of tone to be emitted from within the cabinet outwardly. The shutter is operated by pedal lever means as shown. It is to accomplish the foregoing results that the fulcruml rod 34 is arranged in a pre-determined position with relation to the lateral path of travel of the needle. p'lhe springs 12 cause the needle point to engage. the record groove' with a pre-determined pressure. It is apparent that the spring 12 draws the diaphragm holder 16 upward and this in turn draws the secured end oi' the bar 21 upward, which latter, having its fulcrum on the rod 34 causes a'downward movement'of the needle at the opposite end and into engagement with the record in its groove.

I contend that when my device is skilfully operated, tones` harmonies and melomethod comparable to a violin string which` is tuned `to a single key tone, but without the` difficulties metwith in retaining the string at a given pitch. The device will also enable an operator to produce glide tones from records of standard tones taken from instruments thenature of which prooriginals. l I claim- .1. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a horizontally arranged diaphragm, a needle bar rigidlyvsecured at one end below thevdiaphragm in and tothe center thereof, a vertical needle extending downwardly from the free end` of said bar,

a vertically rotatable circular tone record having 'a continuous groove in its circumferential edge .in which a standard,vunit tone is registered for reproduction, means to'secure.

said record below the needle in a position to allow the latter to continuously engage the former while rotating, and means to suspend the diaphragm in a position to retain the lneedle'in uniform engagement with the record, substantially-as described.

' 2. In a Adevice of'the character described, the combinationof a horizontally arranged holder, a horizontal diaphragm rigidly secured therein, a needle bar having a longitudinal slot therein rigidly secured at one end below the diaphragm 'in and to the center thereof, said bar extending outwardly and being provided with a vertical needle in its free end, a vertically rotatable circular tone record having a continuous groove in its circumferential edge in which a standard,

unit, continuous tone is registeredl for re;v

production, means to secure said record below said' needle in a vposition where the latter can engagethe record in its groove as the former is rotated, means to suspend Vthe diaphragm holder in a position to retain the needle in uniform engagement with the record in a pre-determined' manner, means to move the needle and the record laterally in a circular path of travel, a fu crum'rod rigidly secured in the rear of th needle at a pre-determined distance in all its parts from the lateral arc of travel ofthe needle in vertical' ends, a horizontally arrangedl holder retained upon and in suspension from each vertical tone arm end, ahorlzontal diaphragm rigidly secured in the holder, a needle b ar having a longitudinal slot therein rigidly secured at one end below the diaphragmin and to the center thereof, said bar extending outwardly and being provided witha vertical needle in' its free end, a vertically rotatable disk having means to retain it tothe tone arm in a position wherein the fdisk may be engaged by the'table, 'a vertical hibits the production of such tones from the i suspend the diaphragm holder in a position to retain the needle in uniform engagement with the record in a pre-determined manner, a fulcrum rod rigidly secured in the rear of the needle at a predetermined distance in all 'its parts from' the lateral arc of rtravel of the needle said rod extending through the slot of the needle bar, substantiallyas described.

4; In a device of the character described, a rotatable horizontal turn table Bf having a central supporting shaft, a rubber mat rigidly secured upon the upper surface of the turn table, a celluloid mat rigidly secured upon the upper surface of said rubber mat,

-ahorn secured in a rigid position, a lateral horizontal tube the center of which opens intosaid'horn, horizontal tone arms pivoted at one end in the'ends of said lateral tube said tone'arms extending 'over the table and lterminating in vertical ends, ahorizontally arranged holder retained upon and in suspension from `each vertical tone arm end, a horizontal diaphragm rigidly secured in the holder, a needle bar having a longitudinal slot therein rigidly secured at one end 'below the diaphragm in and to the centerv thereof, said bar extending outwardly and being provided With-a vertical needlein 'its free end, a vertically rotatable disk having meansto retain it to the tone arm in a position wherein the disk may be engaged by the table, a vertical circular tone record having a ,continuous groove in its circumferential edge in which a standard, unit, continuous tone is registered for reproduction, means to secure said record upon one side ofthe disk below the needle in a position where the latter .can engage the record groove as the former is rotated, means about the tone arm end to suspend the diaphragm holder in a position to retain the needle in `uniform engagement with the record in a predetermined manner, a fulcrum rod rigidly secured in the rear of the needle at a predetermined distance in all its parts from the lateral arc of travel of the needle said rod extending through the slot of the needle bar, substantially as described.

5. In a device of the characterdescribed, a

rotatable horizontal turn table B having a central supporting shaft, a horn secured in a rigid position, a lateral horizontal tube the center of which opens into said horn, horizontal tone arms pivoted at one end in the ends of said lateral tube said tone arms extending over the table and terminating .in vertical ends, a horizontally arranged holder retained upon and in suspension from each vertical tone arm end, a horizontal diaphragm rigidly secured in the holder, a needle bar having a longitudinal slot therein rigidly secured at one end below the diaphragm in and to the center thereof, said barv extending outwardly and being provided with a vertical needle in its free end, a vertically rotatable disk having means to retain it to the tone arm in a position wherein the disk may be engaged by the table, a vertical circular tone record having a continuous groove in its circumferential edge in which a standard, unit, continuous tone is registered for reproduction, means to secure said record upon one side of the disk below the needle in a position where the latter can engage the record groove as the former is' rotated, means about the tone arm end to suspend the diaphragm holder in a position to retain thepneedle in uniform engagement with the record in a pre-determined manner, a fulcrum rod rigidly secured in the rear of the needle at a predetermined distance in all its parts from the lateralv arc of travel of the needle said rod extending through the slot of the needle bar, means to transmit rotating power to the shaft of thc turn table B, substantiallyY as described.

6. In a device of the character described, I

a rotatable horizontal turn table B having a central supporting shaft, a horn secured in a rigid position, a lateral horizontal tube the center of which opens into said horn, horizontal tone arms pivoted at one end in the ends of said lateral tube said tone arms extending over the table and terminating in .vertical ends, a horizontally arranged holder retained upon and in suspension from each vertical tone arm end, a horizontal diaphragm rigidly secured in the holder, a needle bar having a longitudinal slottherein rigidly secured'at one end below the diaphragm in and to the center thereof, said bar extending outwardly and being provided with a vertical needle in its free end, a ver tically rotatable disk having means to resuspend the diaphragm holder in a position to retain the needle in uniform engagement with the record in a pre-determined manner, a fulcrum rod rigidly securedin the rear of the needle at a pre-determined distance in all its parts from the lateral are of travel of the needle said rod extending through the slot of the needle bar, means to transmit rotating power to the shaft of the turn table B, a cabinet in 'and upon which the foregoing mechanism is placed said cabinet having an inclosure into which the horn extends, a shutter in said cabinet, means to open and close said shutter, substantially as described.

RALPH COLLING.- Witnesses:

FRANCES MoCoUR'r, M. V. WEATrmRFoRD. 

